Testing and deflating machine



' 1 May 927 s. MALKE TESTING AND DEFLATING MACHINE Filed June 30. 1926 3Sheets-Sheet 1 727 s. MALKE TESTING AND DEFLATING MACHINE 3 Sheets-Sheet2 Filed June so. 1926 May 10, 1921. 1.628.168

S. MALKE TESTING AND DEFLATING MACHINE Filed June 50. 1926 3Sheets-Sheet 3 gk @(4, (/////Z I Q/XOM Patented May 10, 1927.

sir'fiN MALKE, or MILWAUKEE, wIscoNsIN.

Tris'rIN AND DEFLAT NG MACHINE.

AfipIic-altion' filed June so, 1926. Serial No. 115,780.

This invention relates to testing and deflating machines for inner tubesfor tlres.

I-Iereto-fore, it has been the usual practice to inflate the tubes andsubmerge them "for testing and thereafter remove the tubes from thewater and connect the valves of the inflated tubes to a vacuum systemfor the deflating operation. a slow process and increases the totalexpense' of manufacture of'the inner tubes This invention is designed toovercome the defects noted above and objects of such invention are toprovide a novel form; of testing. and deflating machine which deflatesthetubes without removing them from the water, but instead, uses thehydrostatic pressure to deflate the tubes, so that the tubes do not haveto be removed from the testing machine but instead, the machine itselfnot 2 only affords the facilities for testing; but also completelydeflates the tubes in a wholly automatic and novel manner.

Further objects of this invention are to provide a machine which will.simultaneously deflate a large number-[of mner tubes inan automaticmanner and loosen the holding; means for theinner tubes, so that theymay be readily lifted; from the machme as they are presented in anorderly succession by the machine.

Further objects are to provide atestmg and deflating machine which,althoufghaccomplishing the purposes stated above, is neverthelessrelatively simple and oil? highly 515 practical construction.

An embodiment of the invel-it'ioli is shown I iii-the accompanying:drawings in which:

Figurel is an endelevation partly in section; of the machine; I I IFigure 2 is a side elevationthereof, such view being also partly insection;

Figure3 is an enlarged view of a poruion of one of the tube carryingarms; I

Figure {his a sectional View on the line 4.4=' of Figure 3; FigureFr'i's'an end view shown in FigureS; I I I Figure 6 is a view of thelocking lever for the nipple or filling valve;

Figure 77 ofFiggure 4; I

Figure 8 is a sectional View on the line 8-8' of Figure 4;

Fi-o'uire t) is a sectional view on the line 9-?) ct Figure 2';

Necessarily this isof the structure I r is a sectional" view on the lineFigurelO is a sectional View on the line 10 10 ofFigure 'Q; I I I I I'Figure ll is a face View of the cam shown in Figure 10; I Figure 12 isa detail showing the pivotal. connection of one of the arms to theadjacent portion of the drum. I

Referring to'Figures 1 and 2, it will be seen that the machine comprisesan enlarged tankl adapted to hold waterto' approximately the levelindicated in Figuresfl an('l 2. This tank houses a slowly rotatinghollow drum 2, whose trunnions3 project outwardly beyond the side wallsof the tank. One or both of the trunnionsmay providedwith an aperture,as shown in Figure 1, such aperture communicating with the interior ofthe drum 2. Further, itis to be noted from Figure 2, that one of theM1111: nionsisprovided with. a sprocket wheel 4%,

which maybe driven by means of a chain 5 from any suitable source 0tpower so as tofsl'o wly rot-ate thedrum I I I I l I I The drum isprovided with a pluralityof bearingmembers 6, which project radiallyoutwardly therefrom in a regular order; These bearing members receive t-liearms 71 which are hollow and wl1ich';are provided with pivotal ortrunnionportions 8 carried in the bearing member 6, as shown mostclearlyin Figure 12. These hollow arms 7 are closed-at both ends. Theyareplaced in communication adjacent their pivoted endywith the interiorof the dru 2, by means of the flexible pipes 9 (see Figure 12').,Referring to Figure 3, it will be seen that the" arms 7 are providedwith a lz'lterally extending portion 7 which parallels the axis of thedrum, as may beseen more particu larly from Figure 2. The outerenids ofthe arms areclosed, indicated in Figure 3', and are provided withrollers 1O for a pur-v pose hereinafter to appear. .Fu-r'thenit is to benoted that the inflated inner tube, as shown in imaginaryiines in.Figurei3 and indicated by the reference, character 11, is carried by astationary roller 12 and a mgovable roller 13. The movable roller 13 iscarried by a lever l l' which is pivotally mounted at 15 upon theportion 7 ot the arm. This lever is preterabl'ytorked at its lower endand spansithe portion/Wot the arm. It is providedlwith a bellcrankorshort lever portion 16, provided 1 with acam roller 17;Furtlier,'the'lever 14, as

alt)

most clearly shown in Figure is provided with a pin 18 which is adaptedto be engaged by a latch 19 to hold the lever in tube extendingposition, as shown in Figures 3 and 5.

In addition to the equipment of the arms just described, such arms arefurther provided with an outwardiy projecting extension 20, providedwith a passageway 21 communicating with the interior of the arms, asshown most clearly in Figure 4:. This extension is provided with avertical sleeve-like portion 22 about which a locking lever 23 isadapted to swing. This locking lever is forked at its inner end and hasa cap-like upper portion 2%. which is pivotally mounted upon the sleeve22. The lower portion of the lever 23 is rigidly secured to a pin orshort shaft 25. This pin is provided with an aperture 26 passingradially thereinto, and con'nnunicating with a longitudinal passageway27, so that the passageway 27 may be placed in communication with thepassageway 21 when the parts are in the position shown in Figure 4-, andby means of which, communication between the passageways may be cut offby rotating the .lever 23 and, consequently, rotating the valve or pin25.

Further, it is to be noted that this valve or pin is provided with asmall, centrally located pin 28 which is adapted to engage the valvestem of the filling nipple or valve 29, and thus hold the valve open andpermit discharge of the air from the inner tube 11 through thepassageways 27 and 21 into the interior of the arm. It is to be notedfrom Figure 4 that the sleeve 22 is provided with a short web 30 whichcarries a gasket 31 against which the end of the filling valve 29 ispressed.

It is to be noted from reference to Figure 6 that the cap-like portion24 of the lever 23 is provided with an oval or rectangular opening, twoof whose sides are provided with threads 24 adapted to interlock withthe threads of the filling nipple when the lever is rocked into theposition shown in Figure 4. Vhen the lever is rocked approximately aquarter of aturn, the threads 24' disengage the threads of the fillingvalve or nipple 29, as the threaded portions 2 1 are then positionedopposite the flat portions 29 of the filling valve.

In order to prevent the filling valve from turning, the sleeve 22, asshown in Figure 7, may be provided with an oval or rectangular opening22 which receives the end of the valve stem 29, and thus preventsturning of the valve.

Referring to Figures 1, 2 and 10, it is to be noted that the machine isprovided with a track composed of two members 32. These members may beof angle iron, as shown most clearly in Figure 10. The rollers 10 'idebetween these members and are, consequently, guided by the track andaccordingly guide the portion 7 of the arms, causing them to moveinwardly or outwardly from the drum in accordance with the contour oithe track.

It is to be noted from Figure 1 that the track is provided with astraight, vertical portion, indicated by the reference character A, andwith an upwardly slanting portion, indicated by the reference characterB. It is further provided with an outwardly curved portion C and with aslow, inwardly curved portion D. This inwardly curved portion D lead toa horizontal portion E which is positioned below the water level, andfrom this point the track is provided with a gradually curved portion Twhich leads completely around the drum 2. Thus, when the drum rotates inthe direction of the arrow shown in Figure 1, the arms are held in avertical position along the portion A and gradu ally swung out along theportions B and C, are then swung inwardly along the portion D, andthereafter travel along the horizontal stretch E, subsequentlycompleting the circuit by means of the portion F.

The tubes are placed upon the rollers 12 and 13 (see Figure 3) when thearms are at the portion C of the track. They pass completely around themachine and are removed from the rollers when they arrive at the portionB.

Assume, for instance, that the pairs of rollers 12 and 13 of one of thearms, as indicated at the upper portion of Figure 2, are in theirclosest relative position. tube 11 (see Figure 2) is then placed overthese arms. Continued motion of the drum causes the roller 17 of thelever 14 to engage a curved cam 35, as shown in Figure 2, and rock theroller 13 into the full line position in Figure 2, thus extending thetube, as shown in Figure 3. hen the tube is so extended, the latch 19drops over the pin 18 (see Figure 3) and thus holds the tube extended.The action of the cam is more clearly shown in Figure 9, such figurecorresponding to the section 9 9 of Figure 2.

The rotation of the drum then rocks the arms past the portion D to thehorizontal stretch E. The tubes are now submerged and the operator mayreadily inspect the valves and the tubes, and may shift the tubes bypulling them, such tubes freely running over the rollers 12 and 13 sothat not only the valves, but every portion of the tubes may beinspected for leaks. The operator then shifts the tube to bring thevalve 29 (see Figure 3) into alignment with the discharge valve andinserts the valve or filling nipple 29, as shown in Figures 3 and 4-,and rocks the lever 23. This opens the filling A IX liquid and,consequently, subjects the tubes to greater and greaterhydrostaticpressure. This hydrostatic pressure completely deflates thetubes, the air within the tubes discharginginto the drum Qand fromthence outwardly through the trunnions 3 of the drum.

When the tubes. are approaching the right hand side o1": Figure 1, thearms are guided by the vertical portion A of the track. At this.portion, as shown in Figure 2, a triangular faced or slanting faced cam33 engages the arms 23 and rocks them into valve releasingposition, thusallowing the valves to free themselves from the tube discharging valve.This position of the parts is shown in Figure 2 at the second tube ofthe sectioned portion of the figure. The resiliency of the tube drawsthe valve upwardly and trees it after the lever 23 has been rocked,inwardly by means of the cam This operation. is more clearly shown inFigure 10 from which it will be seen that the cam 33 rocks the lever 23from the full line position shown in Figure 10, to the dotted lineposition, thus freeing the filling nipple or valve. i

- Continued upward motion of the arms along the vertical portion A ofthe track causes the latches 19 to engage the cam or finger 34 whichdraws the latches to the right in Figure 2. This is more clearly shownin Figure 3, from which it will be seen that the finger or cam 34cooperates with the slanting outer faces of the latches 19, and rocksthem free of the pins 18. This permits the lever 14- to rock inwardlydue to the resiliency of the tube 11. The arms now arrive at theupwardly slanting portion B of the track and the tubes may be liftedfrom the arms. The machine is now ready for the next cycle oil(meration, as described in detail above.

It will be noted from Figures 1 and 2 that a large number of tubes arehandled by the machine at one time and that although the deflating ofanindividual tube may be relatively slow, that nevertheless by having alarge number of tubes deflating at the same time, the output of themachine is large and, consequently, the net result is a rapid testingand deflating of the tubes.

It will be seen that a novel machine has been provided which has a dualfunction of both providing for the testing and deflating of the tubeswithout removal of the tubes from the water after testing, butinstead,employing the water itself to exert the neces sary pressure toinsure complete deflation of the tubes.

It will be seen further that the machim automatically locks. theinflated tubes in place and automatically releases the valves and thetubes, and permits the ready re moval of the tubes from the machineafter they have been tested and deflated.

Although the invention has been described in considerable detail, suchdescription is in tended asillustrative rather than limitingtheflinvention may be variously embodied and as the scope of suchinvention is to :be determined as claimed.

I claim:

1. In a machine for operating upon inflated inner tubes provided withfilling}.- valves, the combination of means for receiving the tubes andholding the valves open, and means for deflating the tubes by the application of hydrostatic pressure.

2. In a machine oi? the class described, the combination of means forreceiving inflated tubes provided with filling valves, means for holdingthe filling valves open, and means forsubmerging the tubes in a liquidto de flute said tubes, i

3. A machine for deli-'ating inflated tubes provided with fillingvalves, comprising means for holding the tubes, means for, hold ing thefilling valves in an open position, and means for applying hydrostaticpressure to the tubes.

4. A machine for deflating inflatedtubes provided with filling valves,comprising means for holding the" tubes, means for holding the fillingvalves in an open position,

means for applying hydrostatic pressure to the tubes, and means forreleasing the valves alter deflation.

5. A machine for deflating inflated inner tubes provided with fillingvalves, said machine comprising a revolubly mounted mem her having aplurality of arms, tube holding means carried by said arms and adaptedto receive the tubes, means carried by said arms for locking the valves.in open position, means for guiding the holding means below the levelof a liquid for deflating said tubes. and automatic means for releasingthe valves after deflation of the tubes.

6. A machine for deflating inflated inner tubes provided with fillingvalves, comprising' a revolubly mounted, submerged drum having armsthereon, means carried by said arms for receiving said tubes, and meansfor locking said valves in open position while said drum carries thetubes beneath the liquid level. 1

7. A machine for deflating inflated inner tubes provided with fillingvalves, comprising a revolubly mounted, submerged drum having armsthereon, means carried by said arms for receiving said tubes, means forlocking said valves in open position while said drum carries the tubesbeneath the liquid level, and means for automatically releasing saidvalves after deflation.

8. A machine for deflating inflated inner tubes provided with fillingvalves, said ma chine comprising a revolubly mounted drum adapted tooperate in a liquid, a tank for holding said liquid, a plurality of armscarried by said drum and having relatively movable tube receivingmembers, means for moving said members apart upon the reception of atube to hold the tube in an extended position, means for locking thefilling valves in open position while the drum carries the tubes throughthe liquid, and automatic means for releasing the valve locking meansand for releasing the tube holding means.

9. A machine for testing and deflating inner tubes, provided withfilling valves, said machine comprising a revoluble member provided withtube receiving means, a tank surrounding said member and adapted to holda liquid, a guiding member for said tube holding means for carrying saidtubes below the surface of the liquid tor inspection and for deflation,means for receiving the filling valve and holding such valve in openposition after inspection and while the tubes are submerged, and meansfor detaching the valve holding and tube holding means after the tubeshave been submerged.

10. A machine for testing and deflating inner tubes provided withfilling valves, said machine comprising a revolubly mounted drumprovided with pivotally mounted arms, tube receiving elements havingrelative motion and mounted upon said arms, means for causing theseparation of said tube receiving elements, a tank surrounding said drumand adapted to contain a liquid, a track for guiding said arm with thetubes mounted thereon below the level of the liquid for inspection,means for engaging the valves and holding them in open position, saidtrack guiding the tubes downwardly through the liquid while the valvesare held in open position and guiding the tubes upwardly from saidliquid for removal.

11. A machine for testing and deflating inner tubes provided withfilling valves, said machine comprising a revolubly mounted drumprovided with pivotally mounted arms, tube receiving elements havingrelative motion and mounted upon said arms, means for causing theseparation of said tube receiving elements, a tank surrounding said drumand adapted to contain a liquid, a track for guiding said arms with thetubes mounted there on below the level of the liquid for inspection,means for engaging the valves and holding them in open position, saidtrack guiding the tubes downwardly through the liquid while the valvesare held in open posi tion and guiding the tubes upwardly from saidliquid for removal, and means for automatically releasing said tubeengaging elements and said valve locking means. i

In testimony that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto set my hand atMilwaukee, in the county of Milwaukee and State of VVisconsin.

SVEN MALKE.

